Travel

Getaway Plans for Summer 2017

Summer has finally arrived, which means it’s a great time to plan last-minute vacations. And there’s nothing quite like getting on a plane and exploring a mysterious new destination. Check out our round-up of the trending destinations right now.

New Zealand – Beautiful beaches, laid back culture, skiing, fascinating history; New Zealand has it all. Join a Maori-led whale watching excursion off the South Island before heading out to the famous Marlborough region, known around the world for its great wines. New Zealand is also famed for its love of extreme sports, so if you’ve ever wanted to attach yourself to a bungee rope or hurl yourself from a plane, this is the place to do it. If it’s surfing you’re after, the Coromandel Peninsula is home to a vast array of surfing bohemian artists who are drawn to its changeable seas, beautiful valleys and rugged forests. While you’re there make sure you check out Hot Water Beach where you can dig your own thermal spa in the sand.

Italy – From ancient colosseums to the buried town of Pompeii, Italy boasts some of the finest culture the world has to offer. With its rich history, Rome is a great choice for anyone interested in the past, offering visits to universally acclaimed museums and ancient monuments, as well as a, peek inside the Vatican. Head to the Amalfi Coast to revel in the deep sparkling blue Mediterranean Ocean and check out the precariously placed but incredibly beautiful villages on the cliffs of the Cinque Terre. If you’re feeling energetic, take a hike up to Mount Vesuvius to check out the spectacular view or head to the Chianti region to get involved in squashing the grapes for their world-renowned wine.

Panama – If colonial architecture and cosmopolitan modernity are your thing, then Panama should be high on your bucket list. Narrow cobblestone streets mix beautifully with shiny skyscrapers, making Panama City a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a leisurely cruise down the Panama Canal before heading to the Baru Volcano for a day’s hiking or horse riding. There are always plenty of events happening in Panama. Make sure you bring your bib for the annual Lobster Festival and perfect your poker face for one of the industry’s biggest events in the world. This country is as diverse as they come, offering full jungle experiences in the beautiful rainforest or diving and snorkeling in the Bocas del Toro archipelago.

Croatia – With its beautiful architecture, stunning beaches, and rich culture, Croatia is fast becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Spend a few days acclimatizing to the country by meandering around the ancient city walls of Dubrovnik before staying in a hotel with its own private beach. For truly stunning scenery, head down to the Plitvice Lakes National Park to be amazed by the 16 beautiful interconnecting waterfalls, though this can get super crowded in the summer months so try to plan your trip for the ski season when it is much quieter and the crisp white snow adds drama to the jaw-dropping effect of the landscape. For a bustling nightlife, take a short train ride to the town of Zagreb where you can relax in the café society during the day and hit the bars in the Upper Town for clubbing in the evening.

Denmark – You could be forgiven for thinking Denmark was all about rye bread and beer, but there are a whole plethora of other things to check out while you’re there. Head to the Rabjerg Mile where you can see the largest migrating sand dune in Northern Europe. Shifting North East at a rate of 18 meters per year, you can see the trail it has left behind in the countryside over the last 300 years. Fans of TV series The Bridge can make their way to Broen to watch the whole bridge disappear underwater in order to let ships pass into the Baltic Sea. Sail a Viking longboat or stand beside giants by taking a trip to Svend Wiig Hansen’s monumental sculpture Man meets the Sea on Denmark’s West Coast.

By day she is a teacher, by night she has aspirations of writing full-time. The youngest daughter of three, Sarah was always drawn to pen and paper as a means to express herself and find connection. Things that inspire her: womanhood, artwork, big cities, fashion, music, everyday people, good literature, poetry, her Asian heritage, and of course, a hot cup of tea. Sarah has lived in New Jersey her whole life and currently resides with her boyfriend and a fluffy cat named Quinn.